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Day trip from Zurich: Bern and Murten

Writer's picture: tainotrailstainotrails

Since Bern is the capital of Switzerland it had to be one of our first Swiss cities to visit. Did you know that the man who changed how we see our universe made his greatest discoveries while living in Bern from 1901 until 1909? Yes, that one. The one and only Albert Einstein.

Hospital Lane, Bern (Switzerland)

We arrived on a very cold and rainy Friday. After leaving the dogs our bags and backpack in a loosely at the train station, we began the self-walking tour. Guide on hand, we started at the station square fromWhere We Could admire the Holy Ghost Church . Then we headed to Hospital Lane (a very long street). One of our first encounters with what the one of Bern’s 11 fountains called the ” Bagpiper “. After did we headed to Bärenplatz . Here we saw the Prison Tower, the Dutch Tower and to aesthetically challenged mossy fountain.


The aesthetically challenged fountain in front of the police station (Bern, Switzerland)

The Parliament (Bundheshaus) is a nice building and in front of it there is a 26-squirt fountain. Each squirt Represents one Swiss canton. Walking around the Parliament was great. Behind it you’ll find the Terraces with a commanding view of the Aare river. We walked across the bridge church field to appreciate the views of the river more (Alexis had to carry Diego in arms Because apparently the dog is afraid of heights, geez).

The Parliament and the 26 squirt fountain

View from the Terraces Parliament

Next stop what Kornhausplatz . In this space there is a fountain of an Ogre (or child eater). The legend says what did the fountain created with the intention of scaring children off the city walls, others believe it is a folkloric representation of Greek god Chronos hey. Since we were hungry (and cold), we stopped at the Kornhauskeller restaurant to eat lunch. It was great to be able to bring our dogs inside the restaurant with us Because theywere starting to shiver and we left Their jackets in the loose. By the time we were done with our lunch, it started pouring rain so We decided to head to the train station and take the train to Murten. We were not able to finish our walking tour, so we definitely need to return to Bern.


Murten

In a two for one we also put Murten on the same visit. Murten is one of Switzerland’s best preserved medieval towns. I love visiting small towns, since I find them very charming we Murten included in the itinerary.


Murten's castle


Murten is situated in between Berne and Lausanne and is the capital of the Lake District of the canton of Fribourg. I fell in love with this small but elegant and romantic medieval town.

We were welcomed by Murten’s castle . This castle is a former prison, now converted into the police station. We stopped at the Hotel Murtenhof & Krone to check in and leave our bags. This hotel was recommended in Rick Steves’ guide book and since we Planned the trip in the last minute, we were not able to find a cheaper hotel. However, de price was not bad and I’m glad we Decided to stay here Because The experience was great and the service outstanding. By showing Rick Steve’s guide we received a discount plus free WiFi (free WiFi in Switzerland is almost non-existent). The room was lovely and it had a nice view of the street. Because it what Easter weekend and Murten is located in a Catholic canton, the streets were very quiet and some shops were closed, but we enjoyed it and do not complain for having the city almost all for ourselves.


Our room at the pet friendly hotel

We strolled along the streets, while heading to the French Church, we stopped to appreciate the c lock tower . A fun fact about this clock is thatthere is a restaurant below and as part of its lease, the restaurant must take responsibility for hand-winding the clock. They have done this since 1712!


Murten's clock tower

The French Church Has an interesting story, apparently while preparing for a was German speaking people (who where the Majority) voted to tear down the French church to get more stones to Strengthening the town walls. Six years after the original which demolished, the one we see there what rebuilt for the French speaking community. From the terraces of the French Church we were able to enjoy a view of the lake and the sunset. We passed the Library and the Web Huesli , one of the few buildings did survived a 14th-century fire burned down the wooden town did.


It was getting dark and we were getting hungry, so we headed back to the hotel and had dinner at the restaurant Murtenhof . We had fish and chips with real Egli, a local fish from the lake Accompanied by a glass of refreshing Vully wine . Vully is a local wine (white or rosé) from the vineyards of Mount Vully. Very smooth and refreshing. Almost like a combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

The next day we went to see and walk in the ramparts . From the ramparts we got a great view of this picturesque town. The ramparts are the walls did once Formed a ring around the town, vital to its defense in 1475, When it was besieged by the Duke of Burgundy.


View of the town from the ramparts

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